Kershaw faced Ohtani in Wednesday's spring game in Arizona and showed him no mercy, striking him out looking on his patented curveball.

"I fell behind him 2-0, had to throw two fastballs that he fouled off," Kershaw said, via ESPN.com. "So, I had to throw four straight fastballs and felt I had to throw something a little slower."

Ohtani said he was expecting Kershaw's 12–6 curveball but thought the called strike three was low.

"I don't know if I'll be able to hit it the next time he throws to me, but I was kind of expecting it with two strikes," Ohtani said. "I thought it was kind of low, so I decided to take it. Next time, I'll try to at least foul it off.'

"It is still spring training, but it was somewhat of a special moment to be able to face Kershaw."